Hoag Hospital Criticized After Dropping Elective Abortions

L. A. Times Reporter, Jill Cowan, wrote an article that appeared in the June 16 edition of The Times. Below is an excerpt of the article with a link to read the complete article online.

By Jill Cowan

June 16, 2013, 7:42 a.m.

Hoag Hospital's decision to stop performing elective abortions in the wake of its affiliation with a Catholic healthcare group has sparked an outcry among women's rights advocates, who say the move diminishes access to high-quality reproductive care.

These advocates plan to protest outside the Newport Beach hospital at a rally next week, and eight Hoag-affiliated doctors recently penned a public letter registering their disapproval.

"The No. 1 thing a hospital has to have is credibility, and I think they're taking a risk ..." said Suzanne Savary, president of the Newport Beach Democratic Women's Club. "I don't think women's groups are going to let it go away. I think Hoag's reputation is on the line, and that's not a good thing for the [hospital] board to allow."